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When to Plant Okra in Wallowa County, OR

Okra is a heat-loving tropical plant that produces edible seed pods. It thrives in hot summers and produces beautiful hibiscus-like flowers before setting pods.

Wallowa County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 1,240 feet, Wallowa County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season.

Wallowa County, OR (Zone 5a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Wallowa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 16

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 706 gal / 100 sq ft
Okra needs ~791 GDD — county provides 1,842 GDD Excellent fit

Okra Planting Timeline โ€” Wallowa County, OR

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 8
Direct Sow May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 8
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 14

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

134 days

Growing Tips for Wallowa County

Direct sow after soil reaches 65F. Soak seeds overnight to improve germination. Harvest pods when 2-4 inches long and still tender; they become tough if left too long.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Okra in Wallowa County, OR?

Wallowa County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wallowa County, OR?

Wallowa County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wallowa County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wallowa County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.